Ok if you’re new to the hobby, your first question might be what is consignment and what consignment services are out there?
We’ll definitely get to that but first, let’s go over some of the pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of Using Consignment Services
You can always list your cards yourself of course but that would mean taking the time to enter all the necessary information on whichever selling platform you use (ie. eBay).
Then you should take nice photos (front and back at the very minimum) with good lighting, which you then need to upload.
And here’s the big challenge for newer collectors: Getting enough eyeballs to see your listed item especially if you’re trying to auction the card off (vs. waiting for someone to take your Buy It Now offers, which usually takes longer than a fixed auction time/date.)
So that’s where consignment could be a good fit for you because:
Pros:
- Less Time Investment: You simply package your cards, include your information, and ship them to the consignment service. They handle everything else – listing, photographing, selling, and shipping to the buyer. This makes it an extremely convenient option, especially for beginners or those with limited time.
- Near Instant Liquidity: While not as immediate as selling at a card show, once the consignment service processes your cards and lists them on eBay, they will sell through the auction format, and you should receive payment promptly.
- Fair Prices: The auction format on eBay, facilitated by the consignment service, ensures fair market value for your cards. Buyers determine the price through competitive bidding. This is where having enough eyeballs on your item matters, which is why choosing the right consigner that has a big presence in the hobby already also matters.
- Accessibility for Various Card Values: Consignment services accept a wide range of card values, from low to high-end, allowing you to sell your entire collection through a single platform.
Cons:
- Listing Delay: It takes time for the consignment service to process your cards and list them on eBay. It could take approximately a month for your cards to go live, followed by another week to receive your payment.
- Higher Fees Compared to Direct Sales: Consignment services charge fees for their services, typically a percentage of the final sale price. While these fees are lower than managing your own eBay auctions, especially for low-value cards, they are higher than selling directly to a dealer or at a card show.
- No Control Over Final Sale Price: The auction format, while ensuring fair market value, leaves you with no control over the final price. Depending on the card’s rarity and the bidding activity, the final sale price might be lower than your expectations.
So in a nutshell, consignment services might be ideal for individuals prioritising a hands-off approach and minimising time investment, even if it means potentially lower returns compared to direct sales methods like eBay or social media platforms.
Ok, so here are some of the more popular and reputable consigners out there. Keep in mind, each consigner charge their own fees for their services (affiliate links below.)
For some auction houses that also sell high-end cards, you might want to check this blog post out.
We also curate a lot of these nice, higher end cards in our Daily Auctions page!
Listen to our weekly podcast Cards To The Moon every Tuesday and every other Friday!